The man expected by his countrymen to outscore the brilliant Ronaldo and emerge as the attacking inspiration behind Argentina's World Cup challenge takes the most loaded of issues in his stride.

In fact, Batistuta smiles broadly while he recalls his upbringing as the son of a farmer near Santa Fe and the way it has prepared him for life in the goldfish bowl of professional football with Fiorentina and Argentina.

'I am not a mercenary. I am not swayed totally by money. I believe I have a bigger picture of life,' he insists.

Which will make interesting reading to the directors of Manchester United plc, who recoiled at his salary demands when the Old Trafford hierarchy made their first, delicate approaches for a player valued at £10 million. A starting salary of £3m a year was cited, with bonuses on top.

Batistuta, in fact, learned life's economic realities at an early age. 'My father was a grape grower and as a schoolboy I used to load the lorry, drive into town and sell our grapes,' he said. 'I realised about the value of money and working off the land.

'I have my own farm in Argentina now that my father runs for me so one day I will return. But that time is a long way off yet. I have so much to achieve as a footballer before I think about farming.'

Batistuta's reluctance to reveal the wealth he has built during seven spectacularly successful years in Florence ensures he does not hint at the size of his homestead. It is no small-holding. The Batistuta farm extends to 12,000 acres on which 3,000 cattle graze.

A barnstorming World Cup campaign will inevitably provoke futher transfer interest. The slightest suggestion that Fiorentina might sell the 29-year-old would provoke a hasty scramble for his signature.

Last summer he believed he would be moving to Manchester United. Ask him how close the deal was to fruition and he replies: 'I had my luggage packed. There were political problems inside Fiorentina and I felt it was better for me to move on. Eventually they decided they couldn't sell me.

'It's amazing how many people now ask me about moving to England. The idea does interest me but I have a good life in Italy and I play for a fine club. I would contemplate moving to England only to be part of a leading team like Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool. I would want to be part of a club that can achieve great things.'

Perhaps Batistuta is the player who can transform a leading English team into champions of Europe. That is a thought for Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson to reflect on this summer. Batistuta is certainly a self-possessed individual, willing to make his own stand on issues and not simply be railroaded along in life by his club or FA.

Like Jurgen Klinsmann, the wanderlust in him was revealed at an early age. As a teenager Batistuta hitch-hiked across Argentina to gain a personal insight into his homeland.

Argentina coach Daniel Passarella is intent on running an orderly ship, with subservient players who keep their hair cut short. When I tug the locks that are tumbling towards his shoulders and remind him of the international expulsion of team-mate Fernando Redondo, Batistuta laughs heartily.

'I'm not having a haircut and I might not have a haircut before the World Cup starts either. I'll see how I feel,' he says.

Passarella tried to live without Batistuta during the World Cup qualification rounds, and Argentina coped but did not prosper. Television coverage does not convey the cunning artistry of Batistuta the marksman either. It is only by watching him in live action that you realise you are witnessing a special talent.

He tricks opposing defenders into complacency. He times his incisive runs to perfection. His markers are left helpless in his wake as he despatches another goal with a minimum amount of fuss. He is deadly. That's why he has twice been top scorer in Serie A with an unfashionable team.

Those who doubt his predatory skills should realise Batistuta has outgunned Diego Maradona to become his nation's record international marksman. Whereas it is normal to wait for the passing of a great player to build a statue in his honour, Fiorentina have already erected outside their stadium a lasting monument to the man known by their fans as 'Batigol'.

The belief in Argentina has grown in recent months that Batistuta and the boys can wreck the dreams of arch-rivals Brazil, the favourites to win the World Cup. Ronaldo, the young star of the reigning champions, is acknowledged as the best centre-forward in the world by the majority. Argentinians believe their man will wreck that argument in France over the next few weeks.

A recent 1-0 victory in Rio de Janeiro emphasised Argentina's blossoming form. Batistuta is brilliantly aided and abetted by the creative talents of two players he believes will emerge as world stars during the competition, Ariel Ortega and Marcelo Gallardo.

'Ariel has already been noticed with Valcencia in Spain and is a brilliant player, while Marcelo is still with River Plate of Buenos Aires but is an exciting midfield talent. They will be two of the stars of this summer,' he says.

'I know there are fans in many countries who hope and pray their teams will become world champions but I don't think anything can rival the level of expectancy that builds in Brazil and Argentina. Everybody is well aware that the Brazilian public believe their team must be permanent world champions. We have to deal with the same sort of scenario.

'The Argentinian public believe we are the best team in the world right now and that the World Cup will simply prove the point. We're not going to France for the experience or just to take part in a great competition. We have to go there to win it.

'If we lose, we'd better not go back to Buenos Aires because there'll be a hot reception awaiting us.'

Batistuta will not be heading home anyway this summer. His wife is expecting their third child so once the World Cup is over - whatever the outcome - he will head to their Tuscany home to be by her side.

Then the prospect of a move to England may loom large again. 'It all depends on the timing,' he ends. 'But I am aware that in Europe Manchester United are a far bigger club than Fiorentina.'

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